Chapter 17
While It Lasts

The morning after the ball Peter had woken up thinking that perhaps the previous night was a dream.

They had stayed on his hidden balcony until the party was nearly over. When they had reentered the ballroom Susan had shot him a look but had soften it when she spied Sarah on his arm. Tumnus the Faun was speaking to Oreius, who Peter had no idea had attended. Edmund was nowhere insight but that did not surprise him. Lucy had fallen asleep leaning against Mark and he had to chuckle to himself. It was in this direction he led Sarah.

"It seems you make a good pillow," Peter said.

Mark shrugged, careful not to use the right side of his body to do so, as not to disturb the sleeping queen. "What can I say?" He smirked and continued. "I was wondering when you two would get together." Sarah looked taken aback and was going say something but the solider in training stopped her. "Don't worry, Sarah, I know what you're going to say and I am fine. Trust me." Sarah nodded but did not say anything. Mark told them to go and dance. Peter was going to offer to have someone relieve the young man of his youngest sister but she seemed perfectly content to lean against him. Sarah and he danced, as Mark suggested, until they had to part for the evening. Peter decided that perhaps he would not seek revenge on Susan or Edmund just yet as the night did not turn out too badly, he felt.

So Peter rose with a smile on his face the next morning not caring that someone was banging on his bedchamber door. He leisurely got out of bed, grabbed his robe and was still smiling when he opened the door to a distressed looking Edmund. "Morning," Peter said cheerfully.

"Some morning it is," Edmund said, fully dressed as he stepped into his brother's room.

"Yes, come right in, Ed," Peter said. "Forgive my manners in not inviting you in first."

Edmund gave him a look as he turned around and crossed his arms. Peter sighed and closed the door, tightening his robe around him further. "What is it?"

"Fell Beast."

That caught Peter's attention and he stood just a little straighter. "What about the Fell Beast?"

"From the reports we've received from the Griffins is that they're mobilizing from the north-west. As in an army mobilizing, it seems that not all of the Witches supports where taken care of when we fought them. They are not within Narnia's boarder yet but they are getting close."

A crease formed between the High King's eyebrows as he sat on his bed. "How long before they cross?"

"We'd have to leave within seven days to get there in a decent amount of time and perhaps another night of waiting for them to come to us," Edmund explained. The younger king then rattled off the opposing Fell Beasts' numbers, what Creatures were within their ranks, their own numbers and that Edmund had already told them to prepare to mobilize. Peter nodded and listened trying to think of the best strategy to go forth with.

"Oreius wants to meet with us shortly," the Just King said. This meant to leave as soon as Peter was dressed and ready to go.

Nodding Peter went to his wardrobe. "Have someone bring a small breakfast for me and Edmund," he paused as Edmund began to leave, "thank you for excusing Fricklin so I could sleep in."

The younger Pevensie gave his brother a crooked smile. "Well, I knew you had a long night."

"That's cheating," Sarah huffed as Zoran moved one of his chess pieces to capture one of hers.

"No, it's called actually knowing how to play the game," the Fox replied.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "After this, I quit." Zoran gave her what she began to recognize as his smile. It did not take long at all for Sarah to loose the match.

When they were done Zoran hopped down the chair he had been sitting on. Sarah also stood and adjusted her skirt. "You know I've been wondering how you do your job in here," she asked gesturing to the library Zoran spent most of his time in. "And how do your work with out any opposable thumbs?"

Zoran turned his head back and saw the glint of mischief in her eyes. "You'd be surprised what I can do without an opposable thumb."

"Zoran!" she said, sounding scandalized.

He laughed. "I only mean that I can not only play chess with out these glorious thumbs you speak of, but I can also get books out to read and have even been known to pen a few letters." Sarah gave him a sharp look. "As long as those letters are 'C' and 'O'," he explained and they shared a smile.

"Are you going to get a scribe?"

"Better, I've been promised one assistant which means he or she can fetch me the resources I need. I'll never have to lift a paw again." The Fox looked rather smug when he said it.

"I hope you don't run me too tired then."

Sarah and Zoran turned toward the entrance to the library and saw Queen Susan standing there. "Majesty," they said together, Sarah curtsying and Zoran bowing to her.

"Lady Sarah, Archivist Zoran," she said in return coming to stand next to them. "I am sorry to interrupt you but I wanted to speak with you, Archivist Zoran, before you start wondering where your assistant was that we promised you."

"My queen does not need to rush for such a trivial thing; besides while I waited I would have had Lady Sarah to help me," Zoran said, "while she remained at Cair Paravel, that is, before her departure for Archenland."

"Well if my brother has anything to say about that he would be inclined to add that you'd have to share her with him," Susan said.

"King Edmund?" Sarah said puzzled as to why Edmund would say anything close to that.

Susan laughed as if she had said a joke. "Of course not, I mean my brother Peter."

Sarah's heart skipped at hearing Peter's name. Just his name though. She had never met High King Peter but he shared his name with her faux-Archenlander Peter. "I am sorry, majesty, but I cannot say I have ever met the High King. I was hoping to see him at the ball last night. I have actually come to regard him as something mythical."

The Gentle Queen laughed again, thinking that Sarah was hilarious. When she saw that neither the Telmarine nor the Fox were joining in she stopped. She looked to the Fox. "She doesn't know," was all she said.

Zoran shook his head, "No, my queen."

"Know what?" Sarah asked.

"Oh, the High King will you tell you when you meet him. I promise." Susan looked exasperated and Sarah had no clue as to why. She heard the queen mumble something under her breath but did not catch it.

"Your majesty," a page (a Boar) said from the doorway. "Their Majesties the Kings would like to speak with you in council room. They say it is an urgent matter."

"Thank you," she replied. Turning to Zoran she bent down and said something very softly to him then stood back up. "I did want to let you know that I will be your assistant for a short time, and actually each of my siblings will take turns being your assistant. We feel it would be a great way to actually learn about nation's history rather than some stuffy old tutors." With that she left them.

Sarah quickly looked down her friend and put her hand on her hips. "She said not to tell you," Zoran replied quickly, "that you have met the High King before."

"Well, I'm sure I have. Probably offended him in someway that I don't remember when I first arrived in Narnia. I'm sure I didn't even know who he was at the time which is why I wouldn't even recognize him if he slapped me on my face." Sarah went to the nearest bookcase and began to browse the titles. "Besides it's probably best that I don't meet him. I'm sure if I did offend him he would have no desire to see me ever again."

Zoran hung his head. While he knew Sarah to be very smart, smarter than she gave herself credit for, sometimes she just could not see what was right in front of her. It would be a rude awakening when she did connect all the dots. And the reason why he did not tell her all the facts was that he knew she would think he was jesting. He had played one too many pranks on her to take him seriously on a matter like this. He also knew that when she found out that she would probably be more upset with herself than with Peter.

So for now he would let her live in her naivety.


Susan entered the council chambers and all the males rose (well, save for the Centaurs, who were already standing) and inclined her head as they greeted her. Peter was seated at the head of the long rectangular table, Edmund was seated on his immediate left and Lucy was on Edmund's left. Susan chose the seat on Peter's right. Oreius was present, as was Dolmadus, Hellman, and several others of high military rank.

As she sat she shot Peter a look that said they would need to talk later. Edmund raised an eyebrow having caught the exchange but did not ask any questions. Lucy saw it too and also did not say anything as she knew from experience it was a look that Susan gave when someone was in trouble. It was a look she had copied from their mother.

Oreius looked to his four kings and queens and was given permission to speak. Susan and Lucy both gasped when the Centaur spoke of the Fell Beast's army that was on its way crossing Narnia (Susan and Lucy had not been as informed as their brothers had of the reason of the urgent meeting) and the preparations the Narnian Army was already beginning. Lucy whimpered, as if she was getting ready to cry and Edmund put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up at her older brother and found he was wearing a reassuring smile. He gave her a little nod that she took as him saying that it was going to be all right.

"They look barely organized," Oreius said, "it should be no problem to push them back, at the very least."

"Do be overconfident, General," Susan said. "If I remember correctly our side was barely organized when you face the Witch and her army and look how well we faired. We must take every precaution when sending our troops out. I do not want to have to write any more letters to families than I have too."

"Yes my queen," the Centaur replied.

"Her Majesty should be assured that we are taking this very seriously and will most defiantly not take this lightly," Dolmadus the Satyr said. "And we will do our best to make sure you do not have to write any unnecessary letters."

"Who is going?" Lucy said, looking at her siblings. "I mean, which of us will go."

"Edmund and I were discussing that," Peter said and those in the room turned to him. "We feel, as rule I suppose, we should defend Narnia's boarders as Aslan gave us to them. I was given to the north, Edmund to the west, Susan the south and Lucy the east. Since, at this particular time they are coming from the north-west Edmund and I will go." Susan looked ready to protest so he added, "And if they had been coming from the south-west it would be you and Edmund going. It's the only fair way we could come up with to deal with a situation like this."

Susan wanted to say something that it was unfair but knew Peter was right and that it made perfect sense. It would also make things easier when it came to disputes from denizens had with each other within those areas. The Gentle Queen was actually happy that her brothers came up with that idea. It solved so many issues.

The discussion quickly turned to the plan they were taking, which would initially be defense as Peter and Edmund wanted to give the opposing for the opportunity to surrender, which they knew was not likely going to happen and then at that point in time they would be ready for the coming attack.

It was dinner by the time everyone agreed on the basics. They would have continued if it had not been for the loud rumbling from Lucy and Edmund's stomachs that alerted everyone to the need to eat. Peter called an end to the meeting and excused everyone to go his or her evening meals.

When Dolmadus, who was the last to leave, left the room Peter turned to Susan. "All right, spit it out. I can tell it has been bugging you since you came in here. Is this about me sleeping in today?"

"No," Susan said. She was actually planning to talk to Peter calmly after dinner about the situation with the Telmarine girl but being confronted like this she remember the anger, on behalf of Lady Sarah, she felt. "This is about lying to a girl who has foolishly given her affections to a selfish, immature boy like you."

"I don't know what you mean," Peter said crossing his arm. He knew fully well what she meant.

"You are toying with Lady Sarah. I spoke with her today and she has no idea who the High King is, now why is that?"

"It's because he feels she'll like him more if she doesn't know who he really is," Edmund replied. Peter shot his brother a harsh look. Edmund pretended to be looking at something on the far wall.

Susan stuttered for a few moments before she got anything intelligible out. "You're an idiot Peter! Do you think she'll be happy about being lied to by someone who claims to care about her?" Her voice had grown louder by the time she was finished.

"I'm going to tell her!" Peter shouted back.

"PAX!" cried Lucy. All three of her older siblings looked at her. "Stop fighting." Looking right into Peter's eyes she said, "Lying is not nice and very wrong. Do you promise to tell Lady Sarah the truth as soon as you get a chance?"

"Yes, Lu, I promise."

She smiled. "It won't be so hard Peter. They say the truth shall set you free."

Lucy had no idea how those words would be twisted.

He blocked the blow and spun away taking out his two attackers that were behind him before facing another strike of a sword. Sweat was running into his eyes, stinging them. Peter's arms hurt and he wanted more than anything to rest but if he did than his enemy would win and he was not going to let Narnia come under the hands of the White Witches minions.

A short distance away he could hear Edmund grunt as he was struck in the shoulder. Peter wanted to run to his brother's aid but his attackers would not allow that. The High King just fought back with stronger blows finally bringing his opponent to the ground.

"Enough!" cried Oreius, coming on to the training field. The centaur was not angry; the slight smile on his lips letting all that had watched the Kings' training match recognized this. "I think that will be all today, Your Majesties." His hoofs where silent as he traveled over the short grass to Edmund and place a hand on the young man's shoulder. "That last hit looked like it might hurt."

Edmund grunted and rolled his shoulders. "I'll be all right." The Centaur's hand remained.

"Even so, King Edmund, you should go to the infirmary. You cannot afford to be injured before you go into battle."

The Just King nodded, picked up his practice sword and went off the field, his valet close behind him with a towel for Edmund to wipe the sweat off his skin.

Peter was helping up the Faun and man he had stuck down when the general came up to him. "So," was all Peter said.

Oreius gave a small chuckle. "Your stance has greatly improved. You still need to watch your left side, you leave it open often."

Peter nodded, picking up his shirt from the ground to wipe his brow. He had slipped out of it during training for a strategic reason: to escape one of his "attackers" who had taken hold of his shirt. He had not bothered to put it back on. Of course when they went battle he would be wearing proper armor.

"You may also wish to clothe yourself, you have attracted quite an audience," Oreius said in a lower voice only Peter could hear.

Looking around the High King spied several court ladies giggling and whispering among their little groups, eyeing the shirtless king. It made Peter blush slightly from being admired so. He felt hopeful though as perhaps Sarah was in their group but he stopped himself from looking for her. She would never come down to look at shirtless men play swords like the other nitwit girls who had. He wouldn't mind though if she came down just to see him shirtless.

And as he walked off the field he felt guilty. Slipping his shirt back on he remembered he had not been able to see Sarah more than three times since the ball and only then for a few moments with words in passing and one stolen kiss (and for those around Peter they saw a silly grin overcome his face when he thought of this). He had planned to tell Sarah the truth. He promised Lucy he would. He even wanted to ask Ulley for permission to properly court his foster daughter. Most of his time, and Edmund's, though had been taken up with training, going over strategy for the battle, and inspecting the troops. It was so much more intense this time since Aslan was not coming nor could they expect him to show up every time Narnia was threatened and save them. So they were covering every scenario they could think of. Peter had sacrificed his time that he could be spending with Sarah to prepare for war.

And thankfully, she understood. She knew he was going to fight and that he needed to prepare and didn't gripe about him not spending time with her. From what he understood from the letter he received via Zoran from her was that most of her time was being taken up by Auntie Larra going over last minute Telmarine customs and etiquette and now dance lessons as there was a party to be held when Ulley arrived home with her to celebrate his return and her "Uncle" Kad and requested she perform a Telmarine dance.

"Sire," Fricklin said, bowing, when Peter entered his room. He hadn't even realized he had made it from the training grounds to his suite. "Queen Susan requests your presence in the library."

"Thank you," Peter replied. Unlike Edmund, Peter's valet did not follow him everywhere. Fricklin mainly kept to Peter's quarters during the day and at sun down he was usually excused unless, as Peter directed, some special event was going on. He knew Edmund didn't keep his valet around because he like being waited on every single second but because the younger king did not realize you could set "working" hours.

The dwarf informed him that he had a bath drawn and waiting and had set clothes aside for him. Peter thanked his valet again and went to his washroom. It was a large room which initially Peter found ridiculous. He did not need anything this large. His washroom was twice the size of his bedroom (which he had shared with Edmund) back in London. However the space had grown on him. He found it relaxing to sink into his bathtub and soak, letting everything drift away from him. No one seemed to ever disturb him when he went into his washroom. It appeared to be an unspoken rule to the palace staff to leave the royals alone when they bathed. Something Peter greatly appreciated.

Peter washed the dirt and grime off himself, trying to go as slow as possible so he could delay this little time of peace for as long as possible. He waited until is fingers and toes looked like prunes before getting out. While he was drying off he caught himself in a floor length mirror. Wrapping his towel around his waist he walked to it and saw the bruises that danced across his the sides of his chest from where he failed to block. From the marks Oreius was right he needed watch his left side as the bruises where concentrated there. It was probably a good thing that he went straight to a hot bath as it would limit the amount of stiffness he would be feeling later. Thankfully the healers mixed some magic into to their remedies so he would not be feeling any discomfort by the time they left to meet the Fell Beasts.

Running a hand through his hair he walked over to the stand which held his change of close. Letting the towel drop to the stone floor he slipped on his undergarments and paused to look over the selection Fricklin had made for him. The shirt was very casual and was to be accompanied by a dark brown leather jerkin. The pants near the same shade as the leather jerkin and boots several shades darker. He shrugged and dressed himself.

"Her Majesty is waiting, sire," Fricklin said when Peter finally emerged from the bathing room. Peter thanked him once again and excused his valet for the day saying it was much too nice to be inside and to enjoy it with his family. The dwarf thanked him very calmly but Peter could see the excitement in his eyes as he left.

The king took his time walking to the library wondering what Susan wanted to share with him today. It had been her idea to be "assistants" to Zoran. What she really meant was that he was to be their tutor without having to actually tutor the monarchs. Since starting this new endeavor Susan had taken pleasure in sharing anything she found with Peter. Last time she had summoned him to the library she had insisted on reading to him from a collection of poetry composed by a bard in the third century. He had nearly fallen asleep.

Peter paused at a portrait of King Frank the Fifth. The man was portly and reminded him of the prints he had seen of King Henry the Eighth back in England save this man did not have such a sordid past and King Frank had vibrant red hair. Feeling that he had dawdled long enough he continued on to the library.

The door was silent as he opened it and slipped in. Peter had decided on the way that he would surprise Susan. She was fun to scare, her expressions were priceless. There was a scraping down one of the tall aisles in the back and like a ghost he made his way to it. He could make out the figure perilously leaning to the side of the ladder and knew immediately it wasn't Susan. He thought it was Edmund because of the green tunic the person was wearing. That was until he heard them swear.

It was not a polite word they let out. No gentleman, or lady for that matter, should utter those kinds of things. Unless you thought no one was around.

"Need help?" Peter asked as the corner of his mouth pulled up when he spoke and there was a twinkle in his blue eyes. He realized his sister was not going be meeting him after all but had created this opportunity for him.

There was another exclamation uttered though he did not catch it this time. Two dark eyes met his as the dark haired girl turned to look down at him from her perch. "Oh, Peter," Sarah said as she quickly descended. Peter held the ladder firmly so as to minimize her chances of falling from it. He took her hand as she took the last few steps. He did not let go of it, nor did she make to take her hand away.

"How is training going?" she asked after a few moments of silence and tucked some of her wayward hair behind her ear. She was dressed in breeches once more, dark brown in color, with slender black boots reaching the top of her calves. A modest but well made belt with silver embellishments sat on her waist over the dark green tunic and her hair was expertly pulled up. This was Sarah's new natural state.

"Well enough," he replied. "What were you doing up there?" Sarah looked up at the books and then back at him. The sun came through one of the windows and caught her eye, revealing that hint of auburn in them that he liked so much. Every time he caught any color in her dark eyes he felt as if he was being let in on some sort of secret.

"I was putting a book away," she replied. "Did you know that Telmarines were not always of darker complexion, and not always human."

"Is that so?" Peter did not know that. He assumed they at been the same since settling Telmar. He had also assumed they were always human as well.

"It was in the book I just put away." She started to walk further down the aisle, away from the way Peter had come. He did not let go of her hand. "The actual first settlers Animals from Calormen, when they still had talking Animals. Then people came from Calormen came to Telmar and they and the Animals did not behave well so Aslan took the gift of speech of the Telmarine Animals. Most of the Calormen settlers left shortly afterwards. Then these pirates appeared out of no where and abandoned their ships and went inland and took over Telmar, which was a mixed colony of people from Archenland and Narnia."

Peter knew she would have said more and if it had been any other day he would have let her continue but he had missed her. He had missed hearing her voice, seeing her face and smelling the unique scent of citrus, vanilla and sun that he only associated with her. There was more that he missed about her but his brain was not going to let him mull over it. Releasing her hand her cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. As his mouth moved against hers he moved his hands down her shoulders and, rather bravely for a king or not, they traveled down the sides of her body to settle on her hips. He could feel her small hands on his abdomen and his hands on her hips pulled her closer. Peter wanted to continue, wanted to go further but a small voice in the back of his reminded that it would not be respectful if he did so.

Slowly he pulled away and looked down at Sarah. Her cheeks were flushed and he could only imagine that his were the same. "I missed you," he said, hands still on her hips as he was not willing to pull them away. He liked how they felt they were meant to go there.

Sarah let a small laugh out. "I'd say so." He couldn't help but laugh as well. She reached up and ran her hand through his hair. "Your hair is getting longer. I didn't realize it grew so fast."

"Didn't until I came to Narnia," he replied. He would have kissed her again if the conversation he had with Susan did not decide to surface to the front of his thoughts just then. "We need to talk." Sarah nodded and he took her hand once again as he led her over a few aisles to a bench. "I want you to know that you're important to me and that I don't think of our relationship lightly."

"Uh, o.k." she replied. If he did not know Sarah better he could have sworn she looked a little scared.

"I am going to ask Ulley if I could court you."

She let out a sigh and smiled. "Oh, well, if you feel that you need to. Though isn't going to be a little hard to 'court' me if we're going to be two different countries?"

He had thought of that during what little free time he had. "We'll write and we'll get the letters quickly. There are Birds that have volunteered to be couriers and since they have more of a mind then a brainless pigeon they don't get distracted or go off course. And they get paid better if they're quicker." She did not look as happy as he imagined so he gave her hand a squeeze and continued. "Come this spring, you'll be back; I'll make sure of it. There is the Spring Festival and it will be the first one in one hundred and one years. Would have been this year but I hear Narnia was busy fighting the White Witch." She laughed at his joke and his smile grew larger. "Since it has been such a long time since there has been one everyone is being invited."

This seemed more conducive to Sarah and she gave him a small smile. "I hope that will come quick, it seems so far away now."

The king squeezed her hand again. "It will though it won't stop me from counting the days until I see you again. And I want you to know who I really am."

She gave him a look. "I know who you are Peter and that doesn't change anything."

Peter sighed in relief. She did know he was High King. He almost wanted to laugh. Perhaps what she had said to Susan was only to keep their relationship hidden. He knew that her life (figuratively or literally) may be in danger by the ladies at court if they announce their relationship. And facing the sister of her suitor is a little daunting when you haven't been formally introduced.

He stood, took her hand and pulled her up from the bench. "Let us go see your father." He offered her his arm and she took it.

"Let us."

Author's Notes: I know! I updated! Please be patient. Chapter 18 hopefully will be up before the end of this month. Now, I do have to warn you from here on time is going to move rather quickly in the story.

I do want to thank all that have read this story and reviewed. Also, go to: queenluz . livejournal . com (take out the spaces). I have post for those that friend me on there on "secret" info. that will help you get a head of the rest. OK, so its nothing too exciting right now, but it will help you better understand things and later "friends posts" will also give you sneak peeks into Book 2 of this series. Woot! So, go to LiveJournal right now and look for "queenluz"!!!!